Latin footwork and... bunions.

Yes, it's a technique thing. But no, it's not more turn out, in fact there should be no turn out in the passing leg at the time you reach the high tip of the toe position.

This one is too complicated to go into, but let's just say I use my technique efficiently enough that I control the timing of the passing foot/knee relative to my body (and the foot position) and the amount of weight on each foot. I therefore can control if the lip of the shoe curls under or not.

Hahaha that's funny because i'm posting in two threads (Ray Rose thread & this one) about similar things.... i'm trying those very RR Carmens and experimenting with toe pointing and [unsuccesfully] 'dragging' my toes in rumba walks, etc. And i've been thinking about random things about toes hanging over vs. not hanging over. I saw in a much older thread that someone posted about improving their toe-point that their shoe was too long. Personally i HATE it when my toes hang over. But i see how a shorter shoe would work for the point, because having these nice flexible Carmen shoes i can point but i see how i have all this extra shoe in a point that's not there in a normal foot position. And now fascination's comment... LOL.. so what's the deal with toes hanging over? Is this good? Or not good? Or personal preference? If your toes hang over, how do you avoid floor-burns? LOL

Not lame questions at all Miss Silly. I believe we have older threads on toes hanging over in latin shoes, but I do prefer overhang because of the extra material that ends up past the toes when you extend to a point otherwise. However, the fit of my RR shoes do not allow me to wear the size that fits and have "toe over hang". And yes, toe over hang is a personal preference.

I've heard some people actually have the front of their shoes cut shorter by a cobbler and glued to make sure they don't come apart after the process. But I've chosen not to go that route. In most latin lines, the foot is on the floor when you point, so you can hide the extra material in to the floor (under the point). When the foot is up in the air, I just deal with it.... *grin*

As for "floor burns"? Well, you don't avoid them, but you have a little bit of control with how much weight you put on your toes. But even then, be prepared to have callouses at the ends of your toes. I have seen one instance where I saw a pro tape her toes, but I could only imagine how much of a pain that is doing that day in and day out....but who knows?

p.s. I do not "drag" my toes when I pass my foot...there is only very light pressure on the passing foot when I am in a high figure 4 position.

I've heard some people actually have the front of their shoes cut shorter by a cobbler and glued to make sure they don't come apart after the process.

Click to expand...

I did that for my shoes, worked fabulously. not as much overhang, I have the impression that it's easier to point my foot (may all be in my mind). both my comp and practice shoes were trimmed by my cobbler.

Thanks again for all your typing, LG! That was definitely most helpful.

All these details are a little above my technique level at this point (pretty sure i fully qualify as "dragging" LOL!), but it's been very helpful to know and experiment with...i've certainly been extremely curious about all this!

On a side note-I've had to strategically use toe-tape before when breaking in new shoes... it certainly would be annoying to do that at *every* dance practice & performance.